Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2026 World Cup
Round of 16
Brazil vs Norway
Sunday 5 July
20:00
New York New Jersey Stadium
Brazil and Norway will revive their unique rivalry – in which the latter side holds an unbeaten record – when they meet in a 2026 World Cup Round of 16 clash at the New York New Jersey Stadium on the evening of Sunday 5 July. Kick-off at 20:00.
Current form
Brazil, after topping Group D with a draw against Morocco (1-1) and wins over Haiti (3-0) and Scotland (3-0) were made to sweat for a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Japan in a Round of 32 clash in Houston on Monday.
A Seleção trailed at half time to Kaishu Sano’s fine strike, but a thumping header from veteran midfielder Casemiro drew them level, before substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored an injury time winner to send Carlo Ancelotti’s men through to the second knockout round.
Norway came home in second place in Group I, with wins over Iraq (4-1) and Senegal (3-2) followed by a 1-4 defeat at the hands of France – in which the Scandinavian side made 10 changes to keep key players fresh.
That team selection paid dividends in a Round of 16 match against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday, as the Vikings claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win. Antonio Nusa’s superb opening strike for Norway was cancelled out by Amad Diallo, but Erling Haaland netted late on – his fifth goal of the tournament – to seal a first World Cup knockout stage win for his nation.
Team news
Brazil will be without midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who suffered a thigh injury that may well rule him out of the rest of the tournament, while Casemiro is nursing a knock picked up against Japan, but is expected to be fit to start. Winger Raphinha may also be available after missing the matches with Scotland and Japan.
Norway’s only notably injury concern is Julian Ryerson, who missed the match against the Ivory Coast with a thigh issue. Key attacking trio Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Sørloth will all be fit to start.
Quotes
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti
“No one is perfect but you can handle how to get out of mistakes, how to think, look ahead. The team did very well in the second half. No one thought that this team wouldn't score.”
Norway coach Ståle Solbakken
“You win a match in the KO phase of a top tournament against a major team – historians are better at ranking this than I am. But it's the first time Norway has a won a KO game, and that is a historic performance for us.”
Head-to-head
Brazil and Norway have met in four previous matches, with the Vikings boasting an unbeaten record (two wins, two draws). The European team’s most famous win over A Seleção was in the group stage of the 1998 World Cup, while their most recent meeting was a friendly in August 2006 in Ullevaal which ended 1-1 after goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen and Daniel Carvalho.
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